Mila Kunis On Her Brutal Black Swan Training: "I Will Never Dance Again"

Summary Mila Kunis underwent extreme training for Black Swan, resulting in physical injuries and a lasting impact on her body and mind.

Kunis followed a strict diet and smoked cigarettes to achieve the emaciated look required for her role in the movie.

The dark side of extreme preparation for roles in Hollywood is highlighted through Kunis' experience in Black Swan, emphasizing the need for better support for actors' well-being.

The 2010 psychological thriller Black Swan delves into the competitive and often harsh world of professional ballet, and Mila Kunis' training for the movie made her never want to dance again. The movie centers on Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman), a ballerina whose obsession with perfection drives her to the edge of sanity. Alongside Portman, Mila Kunis stars as Lily, a rival dancer whose presence adds to Nina's growing paranoia. The Oscar-nominated horror movie received widespread acclaim, with critics praising its intense performances, particularly those of Portman and Kunis, and its hauntingly beautiful portrayal of the ballet world.

Mila Kunis, primarily known for her roles in comedies such as That '70s Show and Forgetting Sarah Marshall, underwent a dramatic transformation for her role in Black Swan. Her commitment to the part in the Darren Aronofsky-directed movie was evident in the physical and emotional demands she endured during her training. Kunis' preparation for the role involved an arduous regimen that tested her limits and led to significant physical injuries, leaving a lasting impact on her body and mind.

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Mila Kunis' Punishing Black Swan Training Explained

The Black Swan Actor Tore A Ligament, Dislocated A Shoulder, & Has Scars On Her Back

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To prepare for Black Swan, Mila Kunis embarked on a grueling training regimen that pushed her to the brink (via TikTok). "I had never danced in my life. I trained for four months for seven days a week, five hours a day, including an hour of cardio a day," Kunis revealed. She had an intense schedule necessary to portray a professional ballerina convincingly, but it came at a high cost. Kunis suffered numerous injuries during her training, including a torn ligament. She commented:

"I tore a ligament, I dislocated my shoulder, I have two scars on my back… I will never dance again… It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done."

Kunis' dedication to her role is undeniable, and her performance in Black Swan received praise for its authenticity and emotional depth. However, the physical toll it took raises ethical questions about the demands placed on actors. While the result on screen was an outstanding performance, one must consider whether such extreme measures are justified. The entertainment industry often glamorizes the intense preparation actors undergo, such as Daniel Day-Lewis's extreme method acting, but the reality can be damaging, both physically and mentally. Kunis revealed (via Collider):

"The thing about ballet that I never knew about is that it’s one of the most excruciating sports that I’ve ever been a part of. I say sports because they train constantly, every single day. Your body changes. Your shoulders drop, your chest opens up and there’s a certain posture that I don’t naturally have because I slouch."

The rigorous training altered her body in ways she hadn't anticipated, showcasing the sheer physicality and discipline required in ballet. Despite her impressive transformation, Kunis' experience underscores the potentially harmful extremes actors sometimes endure for their craft.

To prepare for Black Swan, Natalie Portman trained for an entire year, and she dislocated a rib during production.

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Mila Kunis Also Kept A Strict Diet & Smoked Cigarettes For Black Swan

Kunis Was On A Strict Diet Of 1200 Calories Per Day

In addition to her punishing dance training, Mila Kunis also adhered to a strict diet and smoked cigarettes to achieve the emaciated look required for her role in Black Swan. In an interview on The Howard Stern Show, Kunis shared:

"I had to look skinny. I never watched what I ate. I’m not promoting this at all. I used to be a smoker, so I smoked a lot of cigarettes and I ate a limited amount of calories. It was a 1200-or-less calorie diet a day."

The extreme measures Kunis took highlight the lengths actors sometimes go to physically transform for a role. This kind of dedication is often lauded in Hollywood, but it also brings to light the dangers and potential health risks associated with such drastic changes. Kunis' reliance on smoking and severe calorie restriction is particularly concerning, as these methods can have long-term negative effects on an individual's health.

Kunis' Black Swan story is a reminder of the potentially harmful consequences of extreme preparation and the importance of fostering a more humane approach to the art of filmmaking.

While Kunis' performance in Black Swan was undoubtedly compelling, her experience serves as a cautionary tale. The physical and mental sacrifices she made for the role were significant, and they underscore the need for better support and consideration of actors' well-being. The industry must balance the demands of authenticity with the health and safety of its performers. Kunis' Black Swan story is a reminder of the potentially harmful consequences of extreme preparation and the importance of fostering a more humane approach to the art of filmmaking.

Sources: TikTok, Collider, The Howard Stern Show